Nor Cal Fishing Report

Written By Patrick Bock

Lower Sacramento River

Good news! The Shasta County Sheriff's Office has lifted the river closure, and flows are set to drop to 20,000 CFS on 2/20/25. While still a bit high, these flows are very fishable. Expect solid action on olive hot spots and Weiss nymphs. On warmer, clear days, a caddis hatch should come off, making a Fox’s Caddis Pupa (olive or natural) or a Bird’s Nest excellent choices.

Feather River (Low Flow)

Currently running at 3,900 CFS, which makes walk-and-wade fishing a challenge. However, drifting the river provides better opportunities. Productive flies include:

  • Fox’s Olive Caddis Pupa

  • Olive Bird’s Nest

  • Sweet Pea Nymph

  • Crack Back BWO

Feather River (High Flow)

Still too high at 13, 000 CFS to be worth the effort, but flows are dropping. Keep an eye on conditions—it won’t be long before both the high and low flow sections become accessible by boat or on foot.

Baum Lake

If you're looking for consistency, Baum Lake is your best bet right now. Fish are active, and conditions are ideal. There’s always some kind of hatch, so try BWOs for dries. For nymphing, a black and bloody balanced leech with a chironomid dropper should be productive. Given the solid brown trout population, it’s also worth throwing streamersif you spot a pod of feeding fish.

Yuba River

Sitting at 5,000 CFS, which makes public access difficult. Best to wait for lower flows before making a trip out here.

Mountain Trout Streams

Most mountain trout fisheries remain closed until April. The few that are open are running too high and unsafe for wading at the moment.

Special Offers & Upcoming Events

High Water Discount:
Book your trip with Bock Fly Fishing through the month of March and enjoy our High Water Discount. It’s the perfect time to take advantage of these unique fishing conditions and explore some of the best fisheries in NorCal!

Spring Steelhead Clinic:
Stay tuned—we'll be announcing the date of our Spring Steelhead Clinic soon. Keep checking back for more information and get ready to learn from the experts!


Ready to hit the water? Visit our website or call us today to secure your booking and lock in the high water discount. Don’t miss out on these special offers—act now and make the most of this fishing season.

Stay safe and tight lines!

Patrick Bock
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